Schalk Burger admitted the Springboks failed to keep ball in hand enough during their clash against the Wallabies.

Burger conducted the TV post-match interview immediately after the game in the absence of captain Victor Matfield, who suffered a hamstring injury just before the quarter hour mark of the Test in Brisbane.

Although flank Marcell Coetzee also limped off late in the game, he confirmed on Twitter afterwards that it was nothing too serious.

The Wallabies clinched a 24-20 win after centre Tevita Kuridrani scored an 82nd-minute try.

‘Unfortunately it didn’t go our way, but credit to the Wallabies,’ Burger commented. ‘They fought back really well, we had a good first 60 minutes, we put them under pressure, but then they came back at us. We’ll have to reflect and see where it all went wrong, but I think it was a good game to watch.

‘We’re working hard out there, preferably we’d like to have had the ball in hand a bit more, but it was a tough Test match and credit to the Wallabies, we put them under the pump, but they came out of it.’

After establishing a handy 20-7 lead when centre Jesse Kriel scored an impressive 45th minute try, the Boks came under immense pressure as the Wallabies finished with a flourish.

‘There’s a big difference between Test match rugby and Super Rugby, you have less time on the ball,’ Burger said. ‘This was the first proper hit-out for both teams. We’ve got the World Cup coming up later this year, but first we have to get through this [Rugby Championship].’

The Springboks will next face the All Blacks in Johannesburg on 26 July.

‘It will always be a great challenge [against the All Blacks], similar to this week, but we’re looking forward to it. The last time up in Joburg we got one over them so let’s see what happens this time,’ Burger concluded.

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